GILZ is a leucine-zipper-containing protein that is induced by glucocorticoids. It is expressed in mast cells, monocytes, macrophages, dendritic cells, and T cells. GILZ has been shown to inhibit production of IL-2 as well as TCR-driven upregulation of FasL. GILZ mediates these changes in transcription, at least in part, by inhibiting DNA-binding of the transcription factors AP-1 and NF-κB. GILZ has also been shown to mediate anti-inflammatory signals in macrophages and dendritic cells by interfering with NF-κB-mediated signaling. Although GILZ has been reported to localize to the nucleus, more recent reports as well as testing at eBioscience have observed predominantly cytoplasmic staining.